IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jbecon/v93y2023i6d10.1007_s11573-023-01171-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Applications of the levelized cost concept

Author

Listed:
  • Gunther Friedl

    (Technical University of Munich (TUM))

  • Stefan Reichelstein

    (University of Mannheim
    Stanford University)

  • Amadeus Bach

    (University of Mannheim)

  • Maximilian Blaschke

    (Technical University of Munich (TUM))

  • Lukas Kemmer

    (Technical University of Munich (TUM))

Abstract

Levelized cost is a life-cycle cost measure that aggregates investment expenditures and operating costs into a unit cost figure. So far, most applications of this concept have originated in relation to energy technologies. This paper describes the role of the levelized cost concept in cost accounting and synthesizes multiple research streams in connection with electricity, energy storage, hydrogen and carbon capture. Finally, we sketch multiple potential future applications of the levelized cost concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunther Friedl & Stefan Reichelstein & Amadeus Bach & Maximilian Blaschke & Lukas Kemmer, 2023. "Applications of the levelized cost concept," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(6), pages 1125-1148, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:93:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s11573-023-01171-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11573-023-01171-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11573-023-01171-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11573-023-01171-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bruck, Maira & Sandborn, Peter & Goudarzi, Navid, 2018. "A Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) model for wind farms that include Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 131-139.
    2. Martin Khzouz & Evangelos I. Gkanas & Jia Shao & Farooq Sher & Dmytro Beherskyi & Ahmad El-Kharouf & Mansour Al Qubeissi, 2020. "Life Cycle Costing Analysis: Tools and Applications for Determining Hydrogen Production Cost for Fuel Cell Vehicle Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Simsek, Yeliz & Mata-Torres, Carlos & Guzmán, Amador M. & Cardemil, Jose M. & Escobar, Rodrigo, 2018. "Sensitivity and effectiveness analysis of incentives for concentrated solar power projects in Chile," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(PA), pages 214-224.
    4. William P. Rogerson, 2008. "Intertemporal Cost Allocation and Investment Decisions," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 116(5), pages 931-950, October.
    5. Hirth, Lion, 2013. "The market value of variable renewables," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 218-236.
    6. Glenk, Gunther & Meier, Rebecca & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2021. "Cost dynamics of clean energy technologies," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-054, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    7. Glenk, Gunther & Meier, Rebecca & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2021. "Clean Energy Technologies: Dynamics of Cost and Price," Research Papers 3958, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    8. Zakeri, Behnam & Syri, Sanna, 2015. "Electrical energy storage systems: A comparative life cycle cost analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 569-596.
    9. Tran, Thomas T.D. & Smith, Amanda D., 2018. "Incorporating performance-based global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis into LCOE calculations for emerging renewable energy technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 157-171.
    10. Steckel, Tobiah & Kendall, Alissa & Ambrose, Hanjiro, 2021. "Applying levelized cost of storage methodology to utility-scale second-life lithium-ion battery energy storage systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    11. Comello, Stephen & Glenk, Gunther & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2021. "Transitioning to clean energy transportation services: Life-cycle cost analysis for vehicle fleets," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    12. Ouyang, Xiaoling & Lin, Boqiang, 2014. "Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of renewable energies and required subsidies in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 64-73.
    13. Paul L. Joskow, 2011. "Comparing the Costs of Intermittent and Dispatchable Electricity Generating Technologies," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(3), pages 238-241, May.
    14. Alexander Nezlobin, 2012. "Accrual Accounting, Informational Sufficiency, and Equity Valuation," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 233-273, March.
    15. Lajunen, Antti & Lipman, Timothy, 2016. "Lifecycle cost assessment and carbon dioxide emissions of diesel, natural gas, hybrid electric, fuel cell hybrid and electric transit buses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 329-342.
    16. Altun, A.F. & Kilic, M., 2020. "Economic feasibility analysis with the parametric dynamic simulation of a single effect solar absorption cooling system for various climatic regions in Turkey," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 75-93.
    17. Lai, Chun Sing & McCulloch, Malcolm D., 2017. "Levelized cost of electricity for solar photovoltaic and electrical energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 191-203.
    18. Reichelstein, Stefan & Yorston, Michael, 2013. "The prospects for cost competitive solar PV power," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 117-127.
    19. Stephen Comello & Stefan Reichelstein, 2019. "The emergence of cost effective battery storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    20. Kim, Min-Hwi & Kim, Deukwon & Heo, Jaehyeok & Lee, Dong-Won, 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy system with solar district heating for net zero energy community," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    21. Yang, Tianrun & Liu, Wen & Kramer, Gert Jan & Sun, Qie, 2021. "Seasonal thermal energy storage: A techno-economic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    22. Madhav V. Rajan & Stefan Reichelstein, 2009. "Depreciation Rules and the Relation between Marginal and Historical Cost," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3), pages 823-865, June.
    23. Sonja van Renssen, 2013. "A business case for green fuels," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 951-952, November.
    24. Özge .Ic{s}legen & Stefan Reichelstein, 2011. "Carbon Capture by Fossil Fuel Power Plants: An Economic Analysis," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(1), pages 21-39, January.
    25. Gunther Glenk & Stefan Reichelstein, 2019. "Publisher Correction: Economics of converting renewable power to hydrogen," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 347-347, April.
    26. Glenk, Gunther & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2022. "The economic dynamics of competing power generation sources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    27. Gunther Glenk & Stefan Reichelstein, 2019. "Economics of converting renewable power to hydrogen," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 216-222, March.
    28. Welsch, Bastian & Göllner-Völker, Laura & Schulte, Daniel O. & Bär, Kristian & Sass, Ingo & Schebek, Liselotte, 2018. "Environmental and economic assessment of borehole thermal energy storage in district heating systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 73-90.
    29. Mark Z. Jacobson, 2016. "Clean grids with current technology," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 441-442, May.
    30. Alexander Nezlobin & Madhav V. Rajan & Stefan Reichelstein, 2012. "Dynamics of Rate-of-Return Regulation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(5), pages 980-995, May.
    31. Gunther Glenk & Rebecca Meier & Stefan Reichelstein, 2021. "Cost Dynamics of Clean Energy Technologies," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 179-206, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alexandra G. Papadopoulou & George Vasileiou & Alexandros Flamos, 2020. "A Comparison of Dispatchable RES Technoeconomics: Is There a Niche for Concentrated Solar Power?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    2. Gunther Glenk & Stefan Reichelstein, 2022. "Reversible Power-to-Gas systems for energy conversion and storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Glenk, Gunther & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2022. "The economic dynamics of competing power generation sources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. Flottmann, Jonty H. & Akimov, Alexandr & Simshauser, Paul, 2022. "Firming merchant renewable generators in Australia’s National Electricity Market," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 262-276.
    5. Mendicino, Luca & Menniti, Daniele & Pinnarelli, Anna & Sorrentino, Nicola, 2019. "Corporate power purchase agreement: Formulation of the related levelized cost of energy and its application to a real life case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Ruhnau, Oliver, 2022. "How flexible electricity demand stabilizes wind and solar market values: The case of hydrogen electrolyzers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    7. Dmitry Livdan & Alexander Nezlobin, 2017. "Accounting rules, equity valuation, and growth options," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1122-1155, September.
    8. Gunther Glenk & Rebecca Meier & Stefan Reichelstein, 2021. "Cost Dynamics of Clean Energy Technologies," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 179-206, June.
    9. Alexander Nezlobin & Madhav V. Rajan & Stefan Reichelstein, 2016. "Structural properties of the price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 438-472, June.
    10. Glenk, Gunther & Reichelstein, Stefan, 2021. "Intermittent versus dispatchable power sources: An integrated competitive assessment," ZEW Discussion Papers 21-065, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    11. Shen, Wei & Chen, Xi & Qiu, Jing & Hayward, Jennifier A & Sayeef, Saad & Osman, Peter & Meng, Ke & Dong, Zhao Yang, 2020. "A comprehensive review of variable renewable energy levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    12. Livdan, Dmitry & Nezlobin, Alexander, 2022. "Incentivizing irreversible investment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 110531, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    13. Xin-gang, Zhao & Yi-min, Xie, 2019. "The economic performance of industrial and commercial rooftop photovoltaic in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    14. Ruhnau, Oliver, 2020. "Market-based renewables: How flexible hydrogen electrolyzers stabilize wind and solar market values," EconStor Preprints 227075, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    15. Schauf, Magnus & Schwenen, Sebastian, 2021. "Mills of progress grind slowly? Estimating learning rates for onshore wind energy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    16. Stefan J. Reichelstein & Anshuman Sahoo, 2015. "Cost- and Price Dynamics of Solar PV Modules," CESifo Working Paper Series 5674, CESifo.
    17. Christian Lohmann, 2015. "Managerial incentives for capacity investment decisions," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 27-49, April.
    18. Livdan, Dmitry & Nezlobin, Alexander, 2021. "Investment, capital stock, and replacement cost of assets when economic depreciation is non-geometric," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(3), pages 1444-1469.
    19. Martin Bichler & Hans Ulrich Buhl & Johannes Knörr & Felipe Maldonado & Paul Schott & Stefan Waldherr & Martin Weibelzahl, 2022. "Electricity Markets in a Time of Change: A Call to Arms for Business Research," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 77-102, March.
    20. Stefan Reichelstein & Anna Rohlfing-Bastian, 2014. "Levelized Product Cost: Concept and Decision Relevance," CESifo Working Paper Series 4590, CESifo.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:93:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s11573-023-01171-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.